Palazzo Leoni Montanari is the only Baroque residence in Vicenza, a magnificent art city located just one hour from Venice. Today it is house to the museum Gallerie d’Italia, and serves as a backdrop for its major temporary exhibitions and events, in addition to the permanent collections.

The museum was established to host and introduce the public to the art collection owned by the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, one of Italy’s foremost credit institutes. They are a part of the Gallerie d’Italia circuit whose members include Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano in Naples and Le Gallerie di Piazza Scala in Milan (read about the latter on Where Milan!).

The pieces displayed, including a collection of ancient pottery, 34 important paintings from the Venetian School and 140 precious examples of Russian icons from the Medieval age to the present time, offer visitors an insightful view into the past.

Detail: a fresco

The Collections of Gallerie d'Italia - Palazzo Leoni Montanari

Visitors accessing the halls of the second piano nobile can enjoy a precious collection of findings of Attican art part of the wide 500-piece Caputi collection owned by Intesa Sanpaolo group and coming from the necropolis in Ruvo di Puglia – Southern Italy – which offer a precious proof of the impact of the Greek domination on the artistic production of the time. A selection of recently restored and beautifully decorated vases is permanently displayed at the Sala dell’Antica Roma and Sala dell’Antico Testamento where, by mixing and matching with the decorative elements in classical style of the halls, they provide guests with insightful information on the society and daily life of the Attican period.

Ceramics from the Caputi collection

Venetian art: Canal Grande by Michele Marieschi (Venice, 1710-144)

Moreover, over 34 works including paintings and sculptures from the 18th century, are displayed over different halls enabling visitors to the museum to deepen their knowledge in the multi-faceted features of the Venetian school of figurative art. The sculpture ‘The Fall of the Rebel Angels’ by Agostino Fasolato is a precious masterpiece in marble made of 60 pieces-within-the-piece well worth a visit.

Last but not least, over 400 paintings of Russian and Byzantine icons from the Middle Ages to modern art, complete the offer, featuring one of the most important collections out of the Russian borders including Novogorod’s ‘Descent into the Underworld’ and the ‘Ascension to Heaven of Prophet Elia’, two works from the 13th century of a great artistic value.

Detail of Mitrofan of Voronezh, 19th c.

INFORMATION

OPENING DAYS AND HOURS:Open every day from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5.30pm)Closed on Mondays, 1 January and 25 December
Open also on 1 May, 2 June, 15 August, 31 October, 8 December

TICKETS: Full ticket 5 euro, reductions available. Free admission on 4 December 2016, 1 January 2017, 5 February 2017, 5 March 2017, 2 April 2017, 7 May 2017, 4 June 2017, 2 July 2017, 6 August 2017, 3 September 2017, 1 October 2017, 5 November 2017, 3 December 2017

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